Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-03-05
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. is.

v. The tedchef must p0SScSS W6
ability to lead pupils to study and
think for Themselves.
In general there is too much work
done by the teacher himself for bis
pupils. It is unwise aud injurious to
carry pupil through a difficulty
which, by earnest effort and appIica-
tion he may overcome by himself.
Too free and repeated assistance in
| this direction contracts the mind In
stead of developing and expanding
it. This course might possibly do
with some who would be willing to
rely on others through life, but would
never suit the people of this age and
nation which requires self-Tellance
and personal energy. Uncle Sam /"
wants his children thoroughly train
ed, disciplined, developed, and men
tally and physically equipped for
life's battle, aud none are better pre-
pared for it than those who are
thrown upon their own resources,
and by the force of rigid mental APP
plication and thorough drill require
a fair practical education.
The object of teaching should
never be to excuse pupil from
thinking and reasoning himself
He must be taught to think and
reason. In the case of primary pu-
pills, they need help, bat that help
should be curtailed as they advance
and enter upon the study of higher
branches. 1t is the pupils own ap.
plication that must give him dis
tinction. In climbing the chill of
Science +" he must not be carried on
another's shoulders.
Let the teacher, then, insist upon
the pupil to settle it in his own mind,
that if he would ever be anything,
he mast make himself. In this sense
every educated person is sclfmade.
He must try his own strength and
try it effectually before he is allow
ed to call on Hercules. Put him
first on his own invention, send him
back again and again to the re-
sources of his own mind, and make
him feel that there is nothing too
hard for industry aud perseverance
to accomplish. LII his early and
timid flight let him know that
stronger pinions are near and ready
to sustain him, but only in case of
absolute necessity. To excuse him
from painful mental labor would be
about as wise as to invent easy
cradle springs for conveying our
children to school. or soft cushions
for them to sit on to promote their
growth and give them vigorous con.
situations.
10. He mast haze a loue for the
cork.
Without this, no matter what his
other qualifications may be, he can
not attain great degree of success.
We never can expect to succeed well
in anything in which we feel little
or no interest. 1t is constantly re-
quiring a forced effort and cannot
fail to have its effect on the school,
and certainly no one should enter a
school-room as teacher whose lack
of interest will prevent the progress
of the school. If any one has COM
menced the business with no love
for his calling, no legitimate desire
to benefit his pupils, he would better
quit at once and leave his position
to one who is willing to honor the
calling by laboring for the school
with the proper motive.
When teachers become aroused
to take deep and lively interest in
their laudable work, and are filled
with a love for its various duties,
pupils catch the enlivening feeling
and are stimulated in their work.
They will carry this to their parents,
and all will cooperate in the good
work of improving our schools, until
they shall indeed be nurseries from
which shall 60 forth a race that will
be a blessing and glory to our land.
/ VIM. GERHARDT.